CHARGERS: Meachem hopes for breakout game in return to longtime home

SAN DIEGO ---- Robert Meachem knows that Sunday's game will be emotional.

Returning to the city he spent five years representing and to the New Orleans Saints fans who loved him so will tug at the heartstrings.

How it manifests itself is anybody's guess.

"I don't know how it's going to play out. It'll be something I experience in the moment," Meachem said. "I might be teary-eyed. I might be really amped up and excited. I don't know what it'll be like to be in the Superdome, on the other sideline.

"I know all the people that work here. I know a lot of fans because of where they sit each week. It's going to be strange, but I think it'll be a great night."

His attachment to New Orleans remains strong. The Meachems were very involved in the community, orchestrating toy drives and service events through his foundation.

He left for the riches offered by the Chargers, who will pay him $25.9 million to catch passes for four years. He will not return to New Orleans with statistics to validate his paycheck.

Meachem is not yet integrated into the Chargers' offense, and remains a fringe player heading into his fifth game with his new team. He has just six catches for 92 yards and has been shut out twice.

Despite his deep speed and penchant for big plays, Meachem has just one catch for longer than 10 yards.

His opportunities have been limited. Meachem has been throw to just 15 times, threw fewer than tight end Antonio Gates and nine fewer than Malcom Floyd, the team's clear-cut No. 1 receiver.

"I'm the new guy. If I was Philip and I had worked with Malcom Floyd for eight or nine years, he would be my first target, too," Meachem said. "That's who I'd be most comfortable with. Every day I get more comfortable with Philip, and he gets more comfortable with me. That's what helps. We're getting the progress we need. We're definitely not going backwards. We're taking steps in the right direction."

"I wouldn't say that the lack of balls thrown his way are because of anything in particular," Rivers said. "I also can't say there's anything to suggest that this game will be a big one for him. He may catch eight balls. He may have two. There hasn't been a special emphasis on this.

"I will say that the comfort level is better now than it was four weeks ago, and it'll be better in a month than it is right now."

Meachem spent five years getting comfortable with Saints quarterback Drew Brees. That relationship took time to build as well. Meachem caught just 12 passes in his first active season, and had at least 40 receptions, 620 yards and five touchdowns each year after.

"Any time that you get a new receiver or a new weapon, whatever it is, there's a process that takes place where you're just getting on the same page," Brees said. "You're kind of gaining that trust, confidence and chemistry. I know that the relationship I had with Robert, the way he fit into our offense and scheme and he was awesome. I was excited for him and the opportunity that he got in San Diego, although I miss him as a person in the locker room and the type of guy he was as a receiver on the field.

"I felt like he really evolved within our offense as the years went on to become an every-down guy. With the other receivers we had, we had all kinds of packages to where we would mix and match those guys. But there was nothing that Meachem couldn't do."

Meachem believes he'll become the go-to target that he's being paid to be. He thinks there would be no better time to show his true value than in his old haunts, against his old team.

"It's a great setting for a big breakout game," Meachem said. "The Superdome would be the best place to do it. If I did well, I don't think the fans would boo me. They would cheer a big game.

"I know emotions will be high because I was there forever, but you just have to go out and have fun. Whatever happens in the game, may the good Lord make it positive."